Secretary of State Matthew Dunlop said Wednesday that his office had certified 63,626 valid signatures collected by Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting. The group needed to submit at least 57,277 valid signatures in order to move the measure forward.

Under Maine law, the Legislature can either approve the legislation as written or send the legislation to referendum. If rejected, the measure would appear on the November ballot.

"We are excited to work with Maine hunters and non-hunters to ban the inhumane, unsporting and reckless practices of bear baiting, hounding and trapping," said Katie Hansberry, campaign director for Mainers for Fair Bear Hunting.

Hansberry said densely forested states like Oregon and Washington have similar bans in place.

David Trahan, executive director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, which opposed a similar referendum in 2004, was not available for comment.

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